The primary function of the District Attorney is to diligently and vigilantly pursue those who are believed to have violated the criminal codes of the state.To that end, the district attorney has the authority to employ persons to assist in the detection of crime and the gathering of evidence to be used in the prosecution of criminal cases.

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office institutes this concept by employing four full-time Criminal Investigators, who are also sworn Peace Officers in the State of Oregon.The team is overseen by the Criminal Investigations Supervisor, who reports directly to the District Attorney.The Investigators currently working have prior police experience with various Marion County police agencies, and bring in excess of 65 years of law enforcement experience to the team.

The primary function of the DA Investigators is to provide quality and timely investigative support to the District Attorney’s legal staff.By using trained and experienced peace officers, the DA’s Office is able to further initial investigations by the local law enforcement agencies, and help to put the best and most prepared prosecution before our courts and juries.

Cases are assigned to DA Investigators on a priority basis, and include incidents of Homicide, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and crimes designated as Ballot Measure 11.Other cases are assigned as time allows, and are considered based on the nature of the crime, the criminal history of the offender, and the probability of incarceration.

Although on occasion DA Investigators will originate and conduct the primary investigation of an incident, those situations are limited.We rely and partner with our local police departments and county sheriff so the maximum investigative resources can be directed to a particular incident.DA Investigators also serve as members of community law enforcement groups including Marion County’s Threat Assessment Team, Homicide and Assault Response Team (HART), and Salem PD’s Domestic Violence Team.

DA Investigators work out of the DA’s Office, which is located at 555 Court Street NE, 3rd Floor, in Salem, Oregon.Investigators are on staff from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.To contact an Investigator by phone, please call (503)588-5222.